deputy

noun

dep·​u·​ty ˈde-pyə-tē How to pronounce deputy (audio)
plural deputies
often attributive
1
a
: a person appointed as a substitute with power to act
b
: a second in command or assistant who usually takes charge when his or her superior is absent
2
: a member of the lower house of some legislative assemblies

Examples of deputy in a Sentence

the club president sent a deputy to the conference to vote on our behalf a deputy supervisor to help out with routine tasks
Recent Examples on the Web Riverside County deputy, 14 others arrested in drug trafficking bust. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2024 One deputy is in critical, but stable, condition and the other is in stable condition. Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 27 Apr. 2024 The mantle fell to Hastert of Illinois, the chief deputy whip. Ron Elving, NPR, 27 Apr. 2024 Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo and her deputy Emmanuel Grégoire took to social media to praise this year’s winner. Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 27 Apr. 2024 The lockdown was lifted, and deputies remained on campus for the rest of the school day. Caleb Lunetta, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2024 That’s a $120,000 raise from his $220,000 salary as deputy superintendent for teaching and learning, his former post — but $10,000 less than Licata’s $350,000 annual salary as superintendent. Jimena Tavel, Miami Herald, 26 Apr. 2024 Sheriff’s deputies were called to the scene about 10:40 p.m. after a ShotSpotter activation and a 911 call. Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 15 Apr. 2024 Syracuse police and Onondaga County sheriff's deputies responded to the address, where a man opened fire on the law enforcement officers, police said. Jolie Lash, ABC News, 15 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deputy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French deputé, past participle of deputer

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of deputy was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near deputy

Cite this Entry

“Deputy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deputy. Accessed 2 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

deputy

noun
dep·​u·​ty ˈdep-yət-ē How to pronounce deputy (audio)
plural deputies
1
: a person appointed to act for or in place of another
2
: an assistant who usually takes charge when his or her superior is absent
deputy adjective

Legal Definition

deputy

noun
dep·​u·​ty ˈde-pyə-tē How to pronounce deputy (audio)
plural deputies
1
: a person appointed as a substitute with power to act
2
: a second in command or assistant who usually takes charge when his or her superior is absent
specifically : deputy sheriff
Etymology

Middle French deputé person appointed to exercise authority, from past participle of deputer to appoint, depute

More from Merriam-Webster on deputy

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